Evaluating Marble Dust As A Replacement Material In Cement Concrete: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Marble has historically been one of the most extensively used construction materials, and its processing generates a significant amount of waste in the form of marble dust. This by-product, if not managed properly, poses serious environmental concerns such as increased soil alkalinity, adverse effects on vegetation, and potential health hazards for humans. Nearly one-fourth of the marble block is lost as fine powder during cutting and polishing operations, highlighting the need for sustainable utilization of this waste.

One promising approach is to incorporate marble dust into concrete, either as filler or as a partial replacement for fine aggregates. This not only minimizes waste disposal issues but also promotes cost-effective and environmentally friendly construction practices. The present study investigates the effect of substituting fine aggregate with marble dust in M25 grade concrete at replacement levels of 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%. Properties of both fresh and hardened concrete, including slump values, compressive strength, water absorption, and specific gravity, were evaluated.

The results demonstrated that compressive strength decreased progressively with increasing marble dust content; however, up to 4% replacement was found feasible without notable loss of strength. Additionally, water absorption reduced at higher replacement levels, though workability declined with increasing dust percentages.

The findings suggest that marble dust, a readily available by-product, can be effectively used as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in concrete. This provides a dual benefit of resource efficiency and waste reduction, aligning with sustainable construction practices.